Individual ministers not only attempted to persuade members who wanted to trek to stay, but they also used their considerable social influence within their congregations to shape public opinion against the Trek.[442] They created a negative climate towards the Great Trek in the Cape by fostering negative perceptions of the Great Trek and of the Voortrekkers among those who remained.[443] The Dutch Reformed Church preached that the Boers should patiently wait until the government addressed the circumstances on the eastern frontier.[444]
